A Daf
(Persian and Arabic:
دف) is a
large-sized frame drum used to accompany both popular and
classical music in Iran, Iraq, Syria, Azerbaijan, Kurdistan,
Kuhistoni Badakhshon of Tajikistan and other countries of the
Middle East. Some dafs are equipped with rings or small cymbals,
making them a form of tambourine.

The defi
(sometimes called daire in other areas) is a fairly large frame
drum with metal bangles. It is similar to a tambourine in
construction; however, the defi is made with a metal screw
system so that the head can be tightened and tuned. It is
popular in many forms all over Greece, especially in the
mainland klarino music. The defi is particularly popular in the
Epiros region of northwestern Greece, where they are still
handmade today. They have a beautiful low tone, and the bangles
are low pitched as well. A virtuoso defi player can decorate the
rhythm of the songs in many exciting ways.

Contents


1 History 
2 Dayereh 
3 References
4 See also

History

The earliest
evidence of the daf dates back to Sassanid Iran. The Pahlavi (an
ancient Iranic language) name of the daf is dap. The word daf is
therefore the Arabicized form of the word dap. Some pictures of
dap have been found in the paintings to be painted before the
birth of Christ. The presence of Iranian dap in the reliefs of
Bisotun is enlightening and is hard proof that dafs existed long
before the rise of Islam. Dafs were part of religious music in
Iran much before Sufism. In fact, Iranian music has always been
a spiritual tool. It shows that dafs played an important role in
Mazdean Iran emerging as an important element during the
Sassanian times during the Kâvusakân dynasty. The monuments of
Bisotun are situated 25 kilometers from Kermanshah city. Also
there is a kind of square frame drum in the stonecutting of
Tagh-e-Bostan (another famous monument located 5 kilometers
northeast of Kermanshah city). These frame drums were played in
the ancient Middle East (chiefly by women in Kurd societies),
Greece, and Rome and reached medieval Europe through Islamic
culture.[citation needed]

Norouz (the
first day of the Iranic New Year and the national festival of
the Iranic peoples) and other festive occasions have been
accompanied by dap in Sassanid periods (224 A.D. - 651 A.D.). In
this period the dap was played in order to accompany Iranian
classical music. Undoubtedly daps were used in the court to be
played in the modes and melodies of traditional music. This
traditional or classical music was created by Barbod the Great
and was named the khosravani after the King Khosrow (Chosroes).
Recent research reveals that these modes were used in the
recitation of Mazdean (Zoroastrian) prayers. The modes were
passed down from master to student and are today known as the
Radif and Dastgah system. Many of the melodies were lost, but
most of those that remain date to the Sassanid period. Dafs can
be played to produce highly complex and intense ryhthms, causing
one to go under a trance and reach an ecstatic and
spiritually-high state. For this reason, they have always been
connected with religion in Iran, again, much before Islam.

The Moors
introduced the daf and other Middle Eastern musical instruments
to Spain, and the Spanish adapted and promoted the daf and other
musical instruments (such as the guitar) in medieval Europe. In
the 15th century, the daf was only used in Sufi ceremonies; the
Ottomans reintroduced it to Europe in the 17th century.

The daf
still functions as an important part of Kurdish and Persian art
music (traditional or classical music) as it did in ancient
times. It successfully encourages many young Iranians to take up
learning this ancient instrument.

A thin band
made of hardwood, covered with goatskin on one side. It can also
have rings or small cymbals along the rim. In these regions, the
daff is held with both hands at shoulder height. Tones of
various depth and colours are played by hitting different spots
on the skin with the fingers. There is also an Oriental
technique of leaning the daff against the knees. The daff is a
percussion instrument with a soft, deep tone. It is suitable for
playing indoors and to accompany singers and players on the
tambura, violin, oud, saz and other Oriental instruments.

Dayereh

The dayereh
is an instrument that is used to keep the rhythm of the music.

The membrane
is made of goatskin stretched over a wooden ring. Along the edge
of the dayereh there are several pairs of loosely attached metal
disks, which produce short crisp sounds as the player strikes
the dayereh with the wrist and the fingers.

Traditionally, the dayereh is a female instrument. It is
sometimes used on festive occasions.